Golden Tegu

Dom_46 · #1 05-06-2008, 09:29 PM

Hi all.

I am considering buying a golden tegu, i am wondering if it will be good in a 3X3 vivarium for the time being untill its 2 foot. Also i need to know if it will require specific lighting tubes, i.e. reptile tube, or just a normal flourescent tube.

my friends dad has been experienced in reptile keeping for 30 years ish and he says it will be a basturd to keep.

any knowledge on it would be a great help to me.

thanks, Dom.

telboy · #2 05-06-2008, 09:38 PM

steer clear mate they get huge and can be very aggressive + if they bite ya boy does it hurt

Dom_46 · #3 05-06-2008, 10:03 PM

Yeah ive been told mate, i am after something agressive really. its the cheapest reptile in the shop for 50 quid, also im not to keen on trying to tame a wild animal, i like the idea of agressive pets

. thanks telboy

telboy · #4 05-06-2008, 10:06 PM

http://www.the-lizard-lounge.com/con...olden-tegu.asp

telboy · #5 05-06-2008, 10:11 PM

rather you than me mate

Ian.g · #6 05-07-2008, 10:04 AM

the thing with "wanting an aggressive pet" is what about cleaning etc? i have a bosc monitor currently 2.5ft long and he is not the friendliest! and it makes day to day life VERY hard! cleaning etc even changing his water etc can be a pain if he is in a mood! to be honest unless you are experienced with dealing with large aggressive lizards then i would NOT recommend it! it seems from your post that you just want something cheap! that is not a reason to get a living thing in my opinon...why not research in to lots of different reptiles and then go for something you REALLY want? i have rescued a fair few reptiles over the years from owners who bought cos they were "cheap" and who think its cool to have a "big aggressive" animal...the reality behind it is usualy an animal the owner becomes scared of dealing with and therefore gets neglected! i am sorry to sound harsh but you REALLY should be 100% prepared for an animal...and no a 3x3 viv will not be big enough for a 2ft tegu...you will not be able to give it correct temperature gradients and basking spots etc...i would suggest a minimum 6-7x3x3 viv for one 2ft upwards....what about bearded dragons? they are EXCELLENT pet lizards imo...once set up they are easy to keep, love to be handled and come out of the viv and dont get huge but arent small either.....i really would suggest having a good read up on things.

Dom_46 · #7 05-07-2008, 10:13 AM

I have researched into it a lot, and heard opinions from an experienced keeper as i said, i am commited to my animals and wouldnt dream of abandoning it, i am not in it for the cool factor of seeing it eat etc, bearded dragons are nice but too much money from my local and only reptile shop. thanks for the info

Ian.g · #8 05-07-2008, 10:26 AM

how about buying from a breeder? baby beardies are like £35 each from breeders...try preloved etc there are normaly babies available on there..

Ian.g · #9 05-07-2008, 10:28 AM

in fact you can buy most things direct from private breeders for a fraction of the shop prices, i VERY rarely buy from shops anymore....

Dom_46 · #10 05-07-2008, 01:39 PM

One more thing, can i use compost and bark chippings for the viv? the compost etc is all newly bagged, not from garden. also can i use plants which can hack the temperature?

thanks